Illustrated By: Jonathan Couch
Published By: Groombridge And Sons
A History Of The Fishes Of The British Islands is a four volume masterpiece of Victorian natural history written and illustrated by Cornish physician and naturalist Jonathan Couch. Originally published sequentially between 1862 and 1865 by Groombridge and Sons, it stands as a monumental achievement in ichthyology and is widely celebrated as the earliest comprehensive work on British fishes to feature colour illustrations. A superb set, each volume has been re-backed with the original binding laid onto new. Beautifully illustrated front boards and spine with embossed detail to the rear. With the exception of a little surface wear to the binding the colour remains rich and vibrant and the gilt bright. The spines have become a little dulled and there remains a little chipping to the original cloth with a larger piece missing along the top of volume three. Internally, there is a little foxing, with heavier foxing to the rear of vol II & vol III, although the pages are generally clean. There is a little shadowing of the plates to the tissue guards and sometimes to the page beneath. Beautifully illustrated with colour plates by the author with several line drawings within the text. Volume I, dated 1868 containing fifty-seven coloured plates, pp. vii + 245. Volume II, dated 1867 containing sixty-three coloured plates, pp. iv + 263. Volume III, dated 1868 containing fifty-nine coloured plates, pp. iv + 208. Volume IV, dated 1869 containing seventy-three coloured plates, pp. iv + 439. Overall a superb set and a lovely addition to any private library.
Book Condition: Very Good
Author: Jonathan Couch
Ref: 123637
Price £1200.00
